Virginia O. Wood

Virginia O for Orosco Wood was born on November 17, 1922, in Floresville, Wilson County, Texas. She grew up in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The schools she completed were Brisco Elementary, Harris Junior High and Brackenridge High School. In order to gain work experience, Virginia went to work in a department store until World War II was declared. Virginia was one of the first to join the Women's Army Corps WAC and served until it was discontinued.

After her service, she pursued a career with the Civil Service at Fort Sam Houston. She took educational courses to become a computer expert. She climbed the ranks of the Civil Service. Her specific duties were to supervise civilians and military personnel in administering the computer needs of the military.

She married Sgt. Major Jesse W. Wood Jr., a career military man and moved many times to such places as Germany, Hawaii and other locations in Europe. Virginia and her husband had one daughter, Ginny Lea. During this time, she was always able to work on military bases. Virginia became a widow in 1965, when her husband died as a result of the illnesses acquired during the Korean War. She continued to work for the government in San Antonio and accrued retirement service of 43 years.

After retirement, she was a very active member of the San Antonio Conservation Society, the Toastmistresses organization, Charitable Sororities, the Night in Old San Antonio Commission in connection with the Fiesta Association and the Conservation Society. She was in charge of Clown Alley at Fiesta's Night in Old San Antonio and worked diligently at Clown Alley every year, supervising the food service. She also was a volunteer tour guide of the Steves Homestead in King William subdivision; her sentences were crisp and enticing always capturing the attention of her audience.

Virginia also participated in a national organization for Parliamentarians; she herself was a certified Parliamentarian.

She was a whiz at cooking, sewing, organizing parties, dinners and banquets. There was no better taste than her chicken fried bacon: thick slabs of bacon dipped in flour and fried to perfection I It was the talk of San Antonio.

Virginia enjoyed life brilliantly in San Antonio until 2005. She sold her home on Oak Haven and moved to her condominium in Dallas, a unit that she purchased earlier in the event she needed to move closer to family. She had a lovely unit with a bay window overlooking a gorgeous pool with beautiful landscape.

Virginia enjoyed life with her caretaker, Sylvia, for many years. She would enjoy going with Sylvia to her favorite place, The Maple Point, a place where she would enjoy a light scotch and split a dinner dish with Sylvia; it was right around the corner from her home and she would dress up and flirt with the men. Later, because of a fall, she moved to the Traymore, a wonderful retirement home in Dallas, near Love

Field. There, she participated in weekly happy hours, Elvis Pressley concerts, bingo games, puzzle solving, and many activities that made her so very happy.

Virginia is survived by a daughter, Virginia Lea Russell and her husband, Russell; a grandson, Matthew Russell of McKinney, Texas and his wife Daniele; one sister, Consuelo Gonzalez; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members. Virginia was a pistol, not to be forgotten.

Virginia, your family and friends will always remember your unique way of conversation and your colorful way of explanation.

Good bye, Aunt Virginia.